Wine Maker Notes 96 Points Robert Parker:The 2002 Dom Perignon is at first intensely floral, with perfumed jasmine that dominates the bouquet. With time in the glass the wine gains richness as the flavors turn decidedly riper and almost tropical. Ripe apricots, passion fruit and peaches emerge from this flashy, opulent Dom Perignon. The wine’s volume makes it approachable today, but readers in search of more complexity will want to cellar this for at least a few years to allow for some of the baby fat to drop off. Geoffroy describes the vintage as very ripe and adds that some of the Chardonnay showed the ill-effects of the hot growing season in it the somewhat burned, dehydrated fruit that came in that year.

95 points Wine Spectator: "A rich and smoky Champagne in a graceful package, with a beautiful, fine-grained texture to it and layers of flavor-biscuit, candied lemon peel, coffee liqueur, chamomile, pine crystallized honey and wood smoke. This is the haute couture of the Champagne world-all about elegance, texture and attention to detail. Drink now thorugh 2027.

95 Points Wine Enthusiast: "This is a wine that thrives on tension between its structure, opulence, elegance, and poise. It is certainly ripe and opulent, but it is so well balanced and layered with acidity, and flavors of almonds, orange peel, and kiwi fruits. It will certainly age."

Technical Notes The French region of Champagne (comprised of the towns of Rheims, Epernay, and Ay) was the first region in the world to make sparkling wine in any quantity. Today, the name of the region is synonymous with the finest of all sparkling wines, and winemaking traditions of Champagne have become role models for sparkling wine producers, worldwide. Surprisingly, the region of Champagne is now responsible for only one bottle in 12 of all sparkling wine produced. Styles of champagne range from the basic brut (often blends of several vintages), single vintage champagnes, and rose.